Mobile Guide to BlackBerry

Chapter 5. COMPOSING AND SENDING MESSAGES

BLACKBERRY BASICS:

• A BlackBerry handles more than just email messages. It also handles PIN messages, SMS messages, and phone calls. These are generically called messages.

• PIN messages are like email messages, but do not travel through an email server. Instead they are sent directly to the other device within the wireless network.

• You can use the Compose icon on the home screen or the Compose menu item to start composing a new message.

• Received messages can be replied to and forwarded to other people.

This is it. This is the heart of the BlackBerry system and the reason you got a BlackBerry in the first place. Of all the applications and features of the handheld, this is the one you will use the most. It should be no surprise then that the Messages application is the most complex and has the most features of any of the applications on the handheld. That isn't to say that it is hard to use; in fact it is quite easy to use and I believe you will be surprised at how much thought and effort has gone into designing this software.

One thing that you will see many times in this chapter is that there is almost never just one way to do something. Instead, common features can be accessed in several ways and on multiple screens. This may seem confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it is very intuitive to use.